Highline Mushrooms, one of the larger Canadian mushroom growers, announced the launch of two new stuffed portabella mushrooms -- Rustic Mediterranean and Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato -- both of which are available to retailers in a 8.6-ounce (245-gram) pack.

Retail operators Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., based in Jacksonville, FL, and BI-LO, based in Greenville, SC, announced Dec. 20 that they will merge operations to create an organization of approximately 690 grocery stores and 63,000 employees in eight states throughout the southeastern United States.

The harvest season is underway at McAllen, TX-based Val Verde Vegetable Co., but greens aren't all that's fresh. Val Verde recently launched a new corporate identity, expanded product lines and made equipment upgrades, according to a Dec. 19 press release.

TORRINGTON, CT -- A food bank in Connecticut got an early Christmas gift, courtesy of a promotion engineered by Bartolotta Inc., a produce brokerage company based here.

WASHINGTON — A free, on-line tool can help small- and medium-sized growers meet food-safety requirements for large buyers who want to purchase certified sources of local produce, said Jim Slama, president of the non-profit FamilyFarmed.org, during a Dec. 15 press conference.